Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, my good friend, Congressman Reyes of Texas, for all of his hard work on this legislation – the first Intelligence Authorization conference report that we have considered in three years.

It is unfortunate, and indeed shameful, that President Bush has once again vetoed fiscally responsible, bipartisan legislation that would provide health insurance coverage to 10 million low-income American children.

Today’s jobs report is just another indication that our economy, under President Bush, continues to muddle along, while millions of Americans are afflicted with economic insecurity and grappling with rising health care costs, gas prices and college costs and stagnating household income.

Let us hope, many years from now, that this day – December 6, 2007 – will be remembered by future generations as the date upon which this new direction 110th Congress took an historic step in moving our nation toward real energy independence and casting off the bonds of dependency that threaten America’s national, economic and environmental security.